Romania Delays Decision on Same-Sex Marriage

Romania has delayed it’s decision on whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage in the country.

The Constitutional Court are debating this because they were asked whether or not they would recognise a same-sex couple married in the US as married in Romania. If they decide to recognise the couple, it will legalise marriage equality in Romania.

According to the court’s president, Valer Dordeanu, the judges need more time and more information to make their decision. They have also requested that the couple to appear in front of the Court again to argue their case.

Dordeanu said: “This case brings forward a new and complex topic for the Romanian society.”

The president of Romanian LGBTI rights organization MozaiQ, Vlad Viski, had this to say: “Postponing the decision concerning gay marriage in Romania, the Court is prolonging injustice towards the LGBTI community. However, having fought for equal rights for many years, LGBT people can be patient, as long as they know their voices are being heard.”

“Moreover, this shows that the Constitutional judges are looking at the case for gay marriage extremely carefully, understanding the implications for the state of democracy in Romania. Human rights and protection of minorities are fundamental principles in any democracy.”

Legal experts in the country have predicted that the case for gay marriage would be rejected by the Court completely, so the extra time given will be a gift to LGBT and human rights organisations to make themselves heard. It also points to them seriously considering the topic rather than rejecting it out of hand, so our fingers are crossed for a positive outcome.

However, there is also a campaign by the Orthodox Church to get a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, and 3 million people signed a petition to define marriage as between one man and one woman.